Re: KOKO KNOLL

Adam in Chicago has tried 5 times to grow ESTHER, THE QUEEN and failed
so it really depends on where you live and possibly when you get them
into the ground.

Yet Henry Danielson, hybridizing in Chicago, found EQ to be so reliable that he used her heavily in his lines.

I'd add one more factor to the survival of imports -- the source. Regardless of the type, local rhizomes that are transplanted at the appropriate time have the best chance of survival. Imports from drastically different climates face the challenge of acclimation -- and if they don't arrive at the appropriate time may be subjected to other stresses they simply can't overcome. North-to-south is easier to handle than south-to-north, as they can be potted and held until the usual planting time.

Then, of course, there's the question of quality -- bloom-size rhizomes have a better chance than nubbins.

And there is the labeling problem. When assessing fatalities, I always take into account whether the subject bloomed and was verified before succumbing. If not, it just goes into the "Unknown" column.